Stop And Turn Or Lotsa Squirt

[plonky]

Please lets. This is a great topic. Something I have always said in the past that everyone is hung up too much on dyno's, and straightline speed. So who here has actually done real suspension work to their cars. I think BCL said something about he has... When I say real, I mean not a set of super lows from King Springs. I mean playing with sway bars, coil overs, etc etc. Please list what you've done.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is why I posted the topic.

I know from extensive experience that that handling and stopping are sooo much more important than just straight line squirt.

Back in the '80's I had a Cooper S that had more money spent on the engine than the rest of the car (1340CC, steel crank, offset bore, cross flow head with a 48mm Weber on long ram manifold matched to a 5 speed straight cut Jack Knight gearbox) It was good for flat 13's but topped out at 102mph.

The problem was I spent more money on the engine than anything else and as a result wrote the thing off at Oran Park with a power induced understeer into a wall before coming onto the flip-flop.

Since then (apart from the Dodge which was an unashamed straight line monster) I have spent more money and time on brakes and suspension with a much greater effect.

There is nothing wrong with a slight or more useable (read linear) power delivery but being smooth and consistent with good stability is so much more sensible.

Anything else just smacks of weeing contests in a Macca's carpark, just like all the other Performance Sticker and Bodykit brigade at Panthers McDonalds each weekend.

[Macktheknife]

  OwnaXR6T said:

I think everything should be in proportion, for me handling matters most, although handling is useless if the car hasn't got straight line punch. The T is much better in a straight line IMO and the shere weight of it lets it down around corners.

Sure. But in the context of it being a large family type saloon, I think it does very well. In FPV guise, it really does fit the bill of Gran Turismo.

.....IMHO.

[Macktheknife]

  plonky said:

Please lets. This is a great topic. Something I have always said in the past that everyone is hung up too much on dyno's, and straightline speed. So who here has actually done real suspension work to their cars. I think BCL said something about he has... When I say real, I mean not a set of super lows from King Springs. I mean playing with sway bars, coil overs, etc etc. Please list what you've done.

This is why I posted the topic.

I know from extensive experience that that handling and stopping are sooo much more important than just straight line squirt.

Back in the '80's I had a Cooper S that had more money spent on the engine than the rest of the car (1340CC, steel crank, offset bore, cross flow head with a 48mm Weber on long ram manifold matched to a 5 speed straight cut Jack Knight gearbox) It was good for flat 13's but topped out at 102mph.

The problem was I spent more money on the engine than anything else and as a result wrote the thing off at Oran Park with a power induced understeer into a wall before coming onto the flip-flop.

Since then (apart from the Dodge which was an unashamed straight line monster) I have spent more money and time on brakes and suspension with a much greater effect.

There is nothing wrong with a slight or more useable (read linear) power delivery but being smooth and consistent with good stability is so much more sensible.

Anything else just smacks of weeing contests in a Macca's carpark, just like all the other Performance Sticker and Bodykit brigade at Panthers McDonalds each weekend.

So Plonky,

After a good few years now, what is the concensus amongst the HWP regarding the T verses the XR8?

[eatV8]

Like someone just mensioned... the weight of the BA's. There will never be any hiding this weight unless you start tearing apart the car, losing all the reasons you buy a large car (comfort etc) The V8 Supercars weight a little less then a WRX and they are bareshells. It will never be the greatest handling car because of its weight. What it can be though is an entertaining family sedan that has plenty of get up and go and a car that can made to handle well enough for the average drive to have some fun in the twisties... So I guess... Grand Tourer would kinda fit it.

[plonky]

In response to your Q Mack....

One of my colleagues has just received a MK2 XR8 down at the Driver Training School and he believes that the suspension modifications are the best thing that has happened for the V8.

The ability of the XR8 to go head to head with the SS is now in favour of the XR8.

However, the XR6T has required a special 'familiarisation day' for those that have been bought up on a diet of SS Commodores (due to the lack of a viable Ford alternative and Holden's willingness to have the money to/respond to feedback from HWP Police).

The XR6T is now a very familiar sight in metro Sydney due to its acceleration, brakes, good handling and cheaper to run on fuel.

The XR8 though is (and will always be) my preferred car due to the huge amount of torque, linear throttle response and weight.....The weight is good for stability at high speed and is a big engine block makes a good bullet shield.